Google Leading Wireless Challenge Against Broadband Incumbents

Google Goes Wireless from BusinessWeek reports on Google’s lobbying in
Washington DC to open up a government auction of licenses for those wanting to
provide new wireless services.We know that Google,
Microsoft and others would love to use a slice of these radio waves to run their
own wireless devices. If this government auction works out for Google, maybe
then Google won’t have to rely on mobile and broadband vendors as an arm for
their services.

Richard Whitt, former head of the regulatory department for MCI, is Google’s
Washington telecom and media counsel. He has been lobbying at the FCC to make
some wireless airwaves available for free public use and ensuring that
new-entrants and "up-and-comers" can get into the market.

The auction rules are now being designed, and Google is trying to influence
the rules to allow for "packaged bidding." Packaged bidding would let bidders
buy licenses across the nation in one go, rather than on a market-by-market
basis. The FCC already seems favorable to such an idea. "We need a real, third
broadband competitor," said FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.

Google may bid on the 700 Mhz auction alone or may team up with Earthlink.